Lismore locals told to stay out of CBD, Ballina waters to rise again
Flood-weary Lismore residents are being urged to stay out of the CBD as the Australian Defence Force and SES personnel continue checks on hazardous materials. It comes amid fresh flood warnings for Ballina and Woodburn.
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Flood-weary Lismore residents are being urged to stay out of the CBD as the Australian Defence Force and SES personnel continue checks on hazardous materials following a second deluge in a month.
“There are a lot of people in the CBD at the moment who are hampering these vital checks and it's important that people stay out of the CBD,’’ the Lismore City Council posted.
“In order to ensure that the 'all-clear' is given as quickly as possible, and that the clean-up can progress faster, please stay away from the CBD until further instructions are given. We appreciate the community's patience and understanding. Stay safe and be kind to each other.”
The message comes as Ballina residents have also been warned to stay put amid fears waters could rise again with the high tide.
Aerial footage has shown lengthy delays with Ballina residents trying to return to their homes.
“With the current Richmond River flooding, combined with the high tides, it is expected that the low lying roads in and around Ballina will be inundated again as the tide comes in both morning and evenings,’’ the Northern Rivers SES advised.
“It will be similar or higher than what we have already been experiencing.”
In its latest advice, just after 9am on Friday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology reported major flooding of the Richmond River at Coraki, Bungawalbin and Woodburn.
“The main flood peak is now reaching Woodburn where a major flood peak is expected on Friday.
“ A moderate flood warning is current for the Wilsons River at Lismore.”
“ The Richmond River at Coraki peaked around 6.80 metres on Thursday morning and is currently near 6.50 metres and falling slowly, above the major flood level of 5.70 metres.
At Bungawalbin it was around 5.50 metres with levels steady, above the major flood level of 5.00 metres.
The Richmond River at Woodburn may peak near 4.60 metres Friday afternoon, with major flooding, the bureau advised.
Woodburn bridge was the scene of a major rescue four weeks ago when about 50 people and five horses were saved after being stranded on the bridge overnight above flood waters.
The incredible scenes were caught on camera by news helicopters surveying flood damage.
In other news, a post highlighting the incredible work of the Rapid Relief Team has gone viral.
Some 28 trucks loaded with 1,640 bales of hay were pictured headed for Lismore to support Far North Coast farmers who have had been hit by the two devastating floods.
RRT volunteers have also rallied together to serve a free BBQ lunch, coffee and gift registered farmers donations of hay.
Floodwaters to peak for new towns as tree crashes down on cars
Floodwaters have begun to drop across NSW's flood-stricken north coast but residents along one major river are still bracing for the inundation to peak- as wild winds lash the coastline including Sydney.
The Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded flood warnings across in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast, with water levels falling in Lismore after peaking at 11.4 metres on Wednesday and flooding "easing" at Grafton into Friday.
But a major flood warning remains in place along the Richmond River, where floodwaters have yet to peak at Bungawalbin and Woodburn.
"Flood waters along the Richmond River combined with inflows from the Wilsons River have resulted in major flooding along the Richmond River at Coraki, Bungawalbin and Woodburn," the BOM wrote online just after 1am.
"The Richmond River at Bungawalbin is peaking near 5.52 metres, with major flooding … at Woodburn (the river) may peak near 4.60 metres Friday morning, with major flooding."
As of this morning, the Wilsons, Clarence, Macintyre Rivers are at a moderate flood level, with the Orara River ranging minor to moderate.
All other flood affected rivers including the Severn, Bellinger, Macleay, Hastings, Wollombi, Colo, Myall and Culgoa, Birri, Bokhara and Narran Rivers are experiencing minor flooding.
The State Emergency Service has received 652 calls for help in the past 24 hours to 5am on Friday, and has carried out 23 flood rescues, according to a spokesman.
It comes as some locals were allowed to return to their homes yesterday, with the SES issuing the all clear for residents from Urunga, Bellinger Keys, Yellow Rock, Newy Island, Bellinger River Tourist Park, Croki and parts of Macksville.
A damaging wind warning for all areas of the NSW coastline between Kempsey and Eden has been issued by the BOM this morning, with gusts reaching up to 100km/h in coastal areas between Seal Rocks and Narooma.
Strong winds averaging between 50 and 60 km/h peaking at around 90km/h are also possible in areas of the Upper Hunter and Snowy Mountains.
Another warning for damaging surf and abnormally high tides is also current. The wild winds brought down trees across parts of Sydney overnight, with SES crews responding to large fallen gum trees in Kemps Creek and Toongabbie- where one tree fell across several cars in a car park.
Body of missing aged care nurse found
The desperate search for a woman who went missing in Northern NSW flood waters earlier this week has come to a tragic end, with the aged care nurse’s body found in North Lismore on Thursday night.
Alina Brakel, 55, was reported missing on Tuesday evening in Monaltrie, about 5km south of Lismore, with police calling on the public to be on the lookout for her or the Holden Captiva she was last seen driving.
Ms Brakel’s body was found just before 7pm on Thursday in floodwaters near the intersection of Alexandra Parade and Tweed Street.
The white Captiva has not yet been found.
Police confirmed this morning they located what they believe is the body of Ms Brakel on Thursday night, though she has yet to be formally identified.
Police believe Ms Brake was leaving Turella, 10km north of Lismore, when she failed to contact loved ones that she arrived safely at home.
"The body is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be that of the missing woman. "
Local police, together with Police Rescue, Water Police and NSW SES volunteers had been searching for Ms Brakel, who is from Nowra but working in Northern NSW, for days without a trace.
“An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death is underway and a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner."
Local police, together with Police Rescue, Water Police and NSW SES volunteers had been searching for Ms Brakel, who is from Nowra but working in Northern NSW, for days without a trace.
SES storm experts to descend on Coraki and Woodburn
Highly trained storm experts are set to hit the ground in Coraki, Bungawalbyn and Woodburn in the next 24 hours to help deal with flood damage in the Northern Rivers.
SES operatives from Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania with storm and water operation training and extra equipment like chainsaws will touch down to provide assistance.
There were 75 requests for assistance from the Tweed Shire to the Coffs Coast in the 24 hours to 6am on Friday.
Two flood rescues were completed in the Northern Rivers in that time, however they were related to providing medical assistance.
There are currently evacuation centres open in Lismore, Coraki, Lennox Head, Byron Bay and Evans Head.
The Richmond River is the only river system still experiencing major flooding as the workload for emergency services slowly reduces.
‘The next time that the BOM get it right, will be the first.’
A Lismore woman has shared the frustrations of many flood-hit residents over malfunctioning sirens, flood alarms and delayed evacuations, saying those calling the shots from afar need to lift their game.
Nancy Casson took aim at the hierarchy of the State Emergency Service and the Bureau of Meteorology after residents were told it was safe to go back to their homes before massive flooding hit the town for the second time in four weeks.
In the very early hours on Wednesday, Lismore residents had to be re-evacuated, despite previously being told it was safe to return home.
Although Ms Casson’s home was safe from rising flood waters, her business – Sisley’s Motel – was inundated.
“We had an evacuation, a non-evacuation and then an evacuation again. I was so confused,” told Nine’s Today show.
“I don’t know what is lacking in their instructions to us. I don’t know why they’re constantly getting it wrong.”
While Ms Casson acknowledged the NSW SES were most likely getting their instructions from the BOM, she said she was “incredibly disappointed” at the multiple mix ups.
“They’re obviously doing what’s instructed at a higher level, so the instructions are coming to us from somewhere and that place is getting it wrong, every time,” she said.
“The next time that the BOM get it right, will be the first.”
Despite the criticisms, SES acting commissioner Daniel Austin defended their response and said “no one could have predicted” the amount of rainfall which occurred in the past week.
Mr Austin confirmed that their response was based on consultation local groups and advice from BOM.
Although they initially thought it was safe for residents to return home, he said they had to re-evacuate residents after a “significant thunderstorm” led to an “extreme flash flooding event”.
30,000 hit by second extreme flood event
Flooding has now impacted more than 30,000 people across northern NSW from Tweed Heads to Coffs Harbour, forcing locals to flee to 18 evacuation centres, while the search for a missing woman has been widened.
Swamped State Emergency Service volunteers have dealt with more than 500 requests for assistance across the Northern Rivers and Mid-North to 5am since Monday.
Most have come from Ballina (181) and then Mullumbimby and Byron (149). There have been 45 flood rescues in the last 24 hours for the Northern Rivers and Mid-North Coast with 30,000 people impacted – 26,800 under evacuation order, a further 3,000 on evacuation alert.
There were 20 evacuation orders in place across northern NSW but only 523 people have so far been accommodated in centres, far fewer than in the first major flood in late February/March.
Byron Bay and Ballina both copped a tsunami of water with Ballina recording 900mm of rain in the past week, most of it on Tuesday and Wednesday.
NSW SES has advised residents of low-lying parts Mullumbimby and the CBD, Condong and surrounding areas, Tumbulgum and surrounding areas, low-lying parts of Nambucca Heads and low-lying parts of Kyogle that it is safe to return.
In Coffs Harbour, a feverish eight-year-old boy with Covid and a calf swept away by floodwater were among the call-outs for emergency services.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews helped paramedics reach the boy who was isolated by floodwaters at Bucca, north of Coffs Harbour.
The Wilsons River in Lismore peaked at 11.4 metres about 5pm on Wednesday, three metres below the 14.4 metre record set in February after what was described as a 1 in 500 year flood.
The Bureau of Meteorology said river levels along the Wilsons River were likely to remain above the height of the levee during Thursday morning with major flooding, before easing further during the afternoon.
It was reported this morning to be at just under 11 metres and falling slowly.
As well as major flooding for the Wilsons River, there is minor to major flooding for the Richmond River, moderate to major flooding for the Clarence River, moderate to major flooding for the Orara River, minor flooding for the Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek and minor flooding for the Tweed River and Coffs Creek.
All the latest river levels and warnings can be found here
As well as major flooding for the Wilsons River, there is minor to major flooding for the Richmond River, moderate to major flooding for the Clarence River, moderate to major flooding for the Orara River, minor flooding for the Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek and minor flooding for the Tweed River and Coffs Creek.
“The river level may fall below the major flood level (9.70m) Thursday afternoon or evening,’’ the official advice said.
Overnight, there was confusion after incorrect information was released suggesting it had peaked at 12.69m, above the 1974 flood height.
The Lismore City Council posted an update on its Facebook page after residents questioned the figures.
“Yes BOM just reissued the update as it didn‘t add up,’’ the council post said.
Damien Schwebel asked for clarification, saying the 11.4m figure didn’t add up either.
“11.4 is similar height to 2017 yet have observed water levels no where near this in sth. Was the gauge reading correctly?”
It was one of a series of issues revealed, including why evacuation orders were lifted on Tuesday afternoon only to be reinstated in the very early hours of Wednesday morning when most people were asleep.
SES also were forced to use loud hailers to raise the alarm after Lismore’s flood sirens system failed to work.
In Ballina, flood residents were left stranded with no evacuations ordered.
BOM needs to do better on weather predictions
Acting Premier Paul Toole said “no one could have predicted” the catastrophic weather, while top SES officials said no one had a crystal ball when it came to predicting the ever-changing weather.
However, many said weather sites on Facebook managed to predict the deluge better than the official weather bureau.
Christine Errington-Smith expressed the sentiment of many.
“My heart goes out to you Lismore, after the last flood losing everything both myself and my family, grandson lives on campus, so we all stayed at the Uni. So after clean up, nothing else to keep us there we all moved away.
“Personally I‘m still traumatised, so I hope everyone stays safe this time.
“My family were listed as missing persons at that time, as they lived next to the bridge/river. So my heart breaks for you going through this again.”
Road closures across northern New South Wales
Police also remind people within flood affected areas to never enter, walk, ride or drive through floodwaters.
Northern Rivers SES have received more than 400 requests for assistance and made 70 rescues to 1pm on Wednesday.
SES Inspector Troy Gersbach told the ABC people were requesting assistance to evacuate parts of Lismore. “It’s a combination of people seeking assistance to evacuate and to be rescued,” he said.
Police also remind people within flood affected areas to never enter, walk, ride or drive through floodwaters.
Northern Rivers SES have received more than 400 requests for assistance and made 70 rescues to 1pm on Wednesday.
SES Inspector Troy Gersbach told the ABC people were requesting assistance to evacuate parts of Lismore. “It’s a combination of people seeking assistance to evacuate and to be rescued,” he said.
Grafton flooding expected to peak
Major flooding is still underway within Lismore and other northern NSW towns including Grafton, where floodwaters are expected to peak on Thursday morning.
“The river level is likely to peak near 5.70 metres around 8am Thursday with major flooding,” the BOM reported.
BOM forecaster Jenny Sturrock said while it was “good news” no further rainfall was expected in the Northern Rivers, communities on the Mid North Coast were now in the firing line for heavier falls.
“Unfortunately the Mid North Coast is expecting significant rainfall today, river systems there already have major flooding,” Ms Sturrock said.
“The Richmond, Clarence and Bellinger Rivers, those catchments already do have major flood warnings current, but we’re looking at rainfall between 30-50mm widespread across the Mid North Coast region.
“Some areas like Barrington Tops could see up to 80mm especially with thunderstorms expected.”
Coraki and Woodburn are also being watched closely by the SES today as floodwaters seep down from Lismore.
“We’re at the forefront, well prepared for the water to move downstream, there is a lot of intel and mapping underway to see where to warn residents,” an SES spokesman said.
“Those are the main areas expected to be impacted … we have already issued more than 20 evacuation orders and 11 evacuation warnings, and we won‘t hesitate to issue more if necessary.”
“There have been a significant number of flood assistance requests, whether that‘s for sandbagging from volunteer members or assisted evacuations … a lot of work has been done, but a significant stretch of the coast has been impacted … we’re averaging three to four (rescues) for each locality,” the SES spokesman said.
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